Annie Gonzalez is an actress, producer, and songwriter known for her roles in Netflix’s Gentefied and STARZ’s Vida. Proudly representing her East LA roots, Annie is committed to telling authentic Latinx stories and making profound ideas accessible to everyone. She shares how growing up in a culturally rich neighborhood shaped her identity, why mental health advocacy is personal, and how she’s using her platform to inspire others to play big and live boldly. Annie also talks about creating her YouTube channel, producing work that matters, and why she believes our greatest gift is the one we give away.

Chapters

00:00 Meet Annie Gonzalez

03:15 Growing Up in East LA

07:45 Landing Roles in Gentefied and Vida

12:20 Why Authentic Latinx Representation Matters

16:55 Advocating for Mental Health in the Latinx Community

21:35 Creating Her YouTube Channel and Producing Original Content

26:50 Balancing Acting, Producing, and Music

31:20 The Influence of Family and Community

35:45 Making Profound Ideas Accessible to All

40:10 Encouraging Others to Play Big

44:25 Advice for Owning Your Story

The Powerful Ladies podcast, hosted by business coach and strategist Kara Duffy features candid conversations with entrepreneurs, creatives, athletes, chefs, writers, scientists, and more. Every Wednesday, new episodes explore what it means to lead with purpose, create with intention, and define success on your own terms.

Whether you're growing a business, changing careers, or asking bigger questions, these stories remind you: you're not alone, and you're more powerful than you think.

Explore more at thepowerfulladies.com and karaduffy.com.

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This is one of the most important conversations I’ve ever had on the podcast. Recorded live on June 5, 2020, just days after the murder of George Floyd, it brings together Sharifah Hardie, Ronda Brunson, Mikelle Drew, and Chandra Gore for an open, honest, and unfiltered discussion about racism in America. We talk about personal experiences, systemic injustice, and the urgent need for change. The panel shares perspectives on economic equality, reparations, and the ways mentorship and advocacy can help dismantle discriminatory systems. This conversation is as relevant now as it was then — and it’s a must-listen for anyone committed to racial justice, equality, and creating a better future.

Chapters

00:00 Welcome and Introductions

04:15 Why This Conversation Matters Now

08:40 Personal Experiences with Racism

14:20 Understanding Systemic Injustice

19:55 The Role of Economic Equality in Change

24:35 Reparations and Repairing Harm

30:10 Mentorship as a Tool for Empowerment

35:20 Advocacy in Action: Where to Start

40:05 Holding Leaders Accountable

45:50 The Power of Community and Solidarity

50:15 Calls to Action for Lasting Impact

The Powerful Ladies podcast, hosted by business coach and strategist Kara Duffy features candid conversations with entrepreneurs, creatives, athletes, chefs, writers, scientists, and more. Every Wednesday, new episodes explore what it means to lead with purpose, create with intention, and define success on your own terms.

Whether you're growing a business, changing careers, or asking bigger questions, these stories remind you: you're not alone, and you're more powerful than you think.

Explore more at thepowerfulladies.com and karaduffy.com.

You can follow & connect with our panelists on Instagram here:

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Isabel Muller is the founder of SWTCH, an innovative underwear brand that lets you change into a fresh pair without removing your shoes or layers, solving a problem most women have experienced on camping trips, ski slopes, or busy days on the go.

She shares how a personal need sparked the idea, what it took to design a Minimum Viable Product, and why she’s using her platform to create honest conversations about women’s health and bodies. From postpartum comfort to preventing UTIs and yeast infections, Isabel’s work is about practicality and empowerment. Her story covers building a brand from the ground up, navigating crowdfunding with Indiegogo, and the lessons she’s learned as a female founder committed to changing an everyday essential.

Chapters

00:00 Meet Isabel Muller

03:40 The Moment That Sparked SWTCH

08:15 Why Fresh Underwear Matters for Women’s Health

12:50 Designing the Minimum Viable Product

17:20 Navigating NDAs and Protecting Innovation

21:15 Postpartum, UTIs, and Yeast Infections

26:05 Balancing Brand Mission with Product Development

30:20 Running an Indiegogo Campaign

35:45 Building a Brand That Talks About Real Women’s Bodies

40:30 From Creative Writing to Interior Design to Entrepreneurship

45:10 Lessons from Santa Barbara to Los Angeles

49:55 Advice for Female Founders

The Powerful Ladies podcast, hosted by business coach and strategist Kara Duffy features candid conversations with entrepreneurs, creatives, athletes, chefs, writers, scientists, and more. Every Wednesday, new episodes explore what it means to lead with purpose, create with intention, and define success on your own terms.

Whether you're growing a business, changing careers, or asking bigger questions, these stories remind you: you're not alone, and you're more powerful than you think.

Explore more at thepowerfulladies.com and karaduffy.com.

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Jennifer Burdis is a two-season American Ninja Warrior, former Penn State volleyball player, teacher, trainer, speaker, and author of The Edju-Ninja Mindset. At just 5’1”, she’s built a career proving that obstacles can be the very things that define your path. Growing up in rural Pennsylvania, Jennifer overcame dyslexia, pursued a collegiate athletic career, and later competed on Season 6 and Season 7 of American Ninja Warrior. She shares how her athlete mindset shapes her work today, from teaching health and wellness to students and educators, to training clients ranging from NFL coaches to a 96-year-old grandma named Wanda. Her story is a powerful reminder that when you see challenges as opportunities, you can achieve more than you imagined.

Chapters

00:00 Meet Jennifer Burdis

03:10 Growing Up in Rural Pennsylvania

07:25 Overcoming Dyslexia and Finding Confidence

11:27 The Dichotomy of Mindset and Heart

15:40 Playing Volleyball at Penn State

19:15 Competing on American Ninja Warrior Seasons 6 & 7

23:30 Transition from Athlete to Educator and Trainer

28:50 Teaching Health and Wellness for Students and Teachers

33:40 Working with NFL Coaches, Pro Athletes, and Wanda at 96

38:15 Authoring The Edju-Ninja Mindset

42:50 Lessons from Travel and Adventure

47:20 Advice for Turning Obstacles into Opportunities

The Powerful Ladies podcast, hosted by business coach and strategist Kara Duffy features candid conversations with entrepreneurs, creatives, athletes, chefs, writers, scientists, and more. Every Wednesday, new episodes explore what it means to lead with purpose, create with intention, and define success on your own terms.

Whether you're growing a business, changing careers, or asking bigger questions, these stories remind you: you're not alone, and you're more powerful than you think.

Explore more at thepowerfulladies.com and karaduffy.com.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Becky Olson is a five-time cancer survivor, public speaker, founder of the Breast Friends nonprofit and radio show, and a champion for living fully. She’s also the mother of our first-ever guest, Elizabeth McGarry, and just like her daughter, she delivers truth bombs, ah-ha moments, and an unwavering commitment to joy. Even as her cancer has returned and spread, Becky focuses on humor, happiness, and hope. She shares her journey from sales rep to professional speaker, the founding of Breast Friends, and the power of doing what you love despite what life throws at you. Becky invites listeners to help her check off a major bucket list item from the comfort of their couch, proving that hope really is her favorite four-letter word.

Chapters

00:00 Meet Becky Olson

03:25 Growing Up in Alaska, Colorado, and Oregon

07:40 From Sales Rep to Professional Speaker

12:15 First Cancer Diagnosis and Finding Purpose

16:55 Founding Breast Friends with Sharon

21:30 Humor, Happiness, and Hope in the Face of Cancer

26:10 Hosting the Breast Friends Radio Show

30:15 The Power of “Staying in the Light”

33:10 Why Everyone Should Have a Bucket List

37:50 How to Support Becky’s Bucket List Goals

42:12 Bringing People Back into the Light

46:00 Lessons from 40 Years of Marriage

50:15 Advice for Living Fully No Matter What

The Powerful Ladies podcast, hosted by business coach and strategist Kara Duffy features candid conversations with entrepreneurs, creatives, athletes, chefs, writers, scientists, and more. Every Wednesday, new episodes explore what it means to lead with purpose, create with intention, and define success on your own terms.

Whether you're growing a business, changing careers, or asking bigger questions, these stories remind you: you're not alone, and you're more powerful than you think.

Explore more at thepowerfulladies.com and karaduffy.com.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Miranda Bressman is a true multipreneur. While working in demanding corporate roles in the action sports industry, she and her husband built a portfolio of businesses: from The Secret Headquarters, one of the world’s top comic book stores, to the hilarious Florida Man Card Game, to unique vacation rentals in Palm Springs and Idyllwild. She shares how her path started folding T-shirts in a skate company warehouse, grew into footwear design and project management, and eventually transitioned into entrepreneurship. Miranda talks about starting businesses based on imagination and solving her own problems, using Kickstarter to launch a card game, and running creative ventures alongside family life. Her story is proof that you don’t need to wait for the perfect plan to start something meaningful. Just a good idea, the willingness to try, and the right people by your side.

Chapters

00:00 Meet Miranda Bressman

03:25 From Folding T-Shirts to Sales in Action Sports

07:45 Designing Footwear and Moving into Development

12:10 Managing Teams and Projects in Corporate Life

16:30 Opening The Secret Headquarters Comic Book Store

21:05 Earning Recognition from The Guardian

25:15 Launching the Florida Man Card Game on Kickstarter

29:50 Creating the Florida Woman Edition and Other Spins

34:20 Building Vacation Rentals in Palm Springs and Idyllwild

38:55 Balancing Multiple Businesses with Family Life

43:15 The Role of Imagination in Business Creation

47:50 Lessons Learned from Taking Chances

The Powerful Ladies podcast, hosted by business coach and strategist Kara Duffy features candid conversations with entrepreneurs, creatives, athletes, chefs, writers, scientists, and more. Every Wednesday, new episodes explore what it means to lead with purpose, create with intention, and define success on your own terms.

Whether you're growing a business, changing careers, or asking bigger questions, these stories remind you: you're not alone, and you're more powerful than you think.

Explore more at thepowerfulladies.com and karaduffy.com.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Melisa D. Monts is a producer, director, writer, and co-host of the podcast Don't Blame Me who has built a career across TV, film, and podcasting. From Fayetteville, Arkansas, she made her way to Los Angeles after falling in love with screenwriting in college, and she’s been making her mark ever since. Melisa shares how she hustled early, taking on multiple internships at once, and how those experiences taught her the skills that fuel her work today. She talks about producing three podcasts, working on Amazon Prime’s Mr. Student Body President, and collaborating with creatives like Chelsea Handler. Along the way, she reflects on the impact of her mother’s career in social justice, her own volunteer work, and the day she was blessed by Maya Angelou. Melisa’s story is a reminder that success is built on curiosity, hard work, and using your platform for good.

Chapters

00:00 Meet Melisa D. Monts

03:20 Growing Up Across Multiple States

07:40 From Biology Major to Screenwriting

12:05 Moving to Los Angeles and Studying Filmmaking at UCLA

16:30 Juggling Multiple Internships in TV, Film & Podcasts

21:50 Producing Mr. Student Body President on Amazon Prime

26:15 Podcasting with Don't Blame Me and Directionally Challenged

31:00 Working with Chelsea Handler and Grace Helbig

35:40 The Influence of Her Mother’s Social Justice Work

39:15 Volunteer Work with Big Brother Big Sister, Happy Period & More

43:10 Meeting Maya Angelou and Bill Clinton

47:25 Advice for Thriving in Hollywood

The Powerful Ladies podcast, hosted by business coach and strategist Kara Duffy features candid conversations with entrepreneurs, creatives, athletes, chefs, writers, scientists, and more. Every Wednesday, new episodes explore what it means to lead with purpose, create with intention, and define success on your own terms.

Whether you're growing a business, changing careers, or asking bigger questions, these stories remind you: you're not alone, and you're more powerful than you think.

Explore more at thepowerfulladies.com and karaduffy.com.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Harper Carnes and Gracie Krajesky are the energetic, optimistic, and talented co-founders of Girl Creative Co., a design, branding, visual merchandising, and website creation company. From in-store installations to content creation, they help businesses visually tell their story. Their partnership began years ago when Harper was Gracie’s youth pastor, later evolving as Gracie became her babysitter — and ultimately her business partner. They share how their creative paths merged, the lessons they’ve learned about brand bullying, and how collaboration can change everything for your business and your confidence. This conversation is a reminder to seek out your people, make the introduction, and see what you can build together.

Chapters

00:00 Meet Harper & Gracie of Girl Creative Co.

04:15 How Their Unlikely Partnership Began

08:35 The Winding Road to Finding a Career Home

12:50 From Youth Pastor and Babysitter to Business Partners

17:25 Building a Full-Service Design and Branding Agency

21:40 The Challenges and Rewards of Collaboration

26:15 Brand Bullying and Standing Your Ground

30:55 Creating Visual Identities for Clients

35:20 Using StrengthsFinder and Personality Tools in Business

39:45 Lessons from Jeni’s Splendid Ice Creams, Lisa Frank, and More

44:15 Why Women Supporting Women Changes Everything

48:05 Advice for Aspiring Entrepreneurs

The Powerful Ladies podcast, hosted by business coach and strategist Kara Duffy features candid conversations with entrepreneurs, creatives, athletes, chefs, writers, scientists, and more. Every Wednesday, new episodes explore what it means to lead with purpose, create with intention, and define success on your own terms.

Whether you're growing a business, changing careers, or asking bigger questions, these stories remind you: you're not alone, and you're more powerful than you think.

Explore more at thepowerfulladies.com and karaduffy.com.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Harper Carnes and Gracie Krajesky are the energetic, optimistic and talented co-founders of Girl Creative Co, a design, branding, visual merchandising and website creation company. Essentially anything you need to visually tell your story. When I stumbled upon their instagram and then their website, I immediately knew I wanted to get to know these women.  On this episode we talk about how finding your career home can be super fast or take a winding road. We discuss the sad truths of brand bullying and how coming together as a collaborating team or as a group of powerful women can change everything for you, your business and the world. All that and so much more!

Sara Zandieh is an Iranian-American filmmaker, writer, and director whose work blends humor, humanity, and cultural depth. She recently directed an episode of NBC’s Good Girls and her latest feature, A Simple Wedding (a multi-cultural romantic comedy starring Tara Grammy and Christopher O’Shea) is streaming now on Amazon and iTunes. Sara shares her path from journalism to filmmaking, why being Iranian-American shapes her storytelling, and what it takes to commit to a project that spans years. She talks about filming in Iran, building a network of creative collaborators, and embracing the entrepreneurial mindset every director needs. Her journey is a reminder that great storytelling requires full commitment, deep humanity, and the courage to tell the stories that matter most.

Chapters

00:00 Meet Sara Zandieh

03:40 From Tehran to Maryland: An Iranian-American Childhood

07:30 Transition from Journalism to Filmmaking

12:15 Covering the Iraq War and the Draw to Narrative Storytelling

16:50 Earning an MFA at Columbia University

20:25 Filming Pool Party in Iran

24:00 Why It Took Six Years to Make A Simple Wedding

28:40 The Power of Collaboration and Creative Circles

33:15 Lessons from NBC’s Female Forward Program

37:50 Building a Career Across Film and Television

42:15 Finding the Story You’re Willing to Bleed For

46:00 Advice for Aspiring Filmmakers

The Powerful Ladies podcast, hosted by business coach and strategist Kara Duffy features candid conversations with entrepreneurs, creatives, athletes, chefs, writers, scientists, and more. Every Wednesday, new episodes explore what it means to lead with purpose, create with intention, and define success on your own terms.

Whether you're growing a business, changing careers, or asking bigger questions, these stories remind you: you're not alone, and you're more powerful than you think.

Explore more at thepowerfulladies.com and karaduffy.com.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices